We fear the worst

It is not possible to know how it feels to have lost a child until it happens to you. In a north-eastern province of China, once known as East Turkisthan, it happens a thousand fold. To the Uighur people it happens, to the Chinese people it happens. The Tianamen Mothers still wait to hear what happened to their children on that fateful day in 1989. The Chinese government is a problem. Witness the earthquake where so very many 'one child' young people died. Their mothers now beyond childbearing age mourn their everything, their entire investment in the human race. Who can comprehend their grief?

The time to find a change of heart is running short. Only the strong words of Europe and the US can find a way into the ears of the Chinese policymakers. Have you ever written to your MP? Now might be a good time to start. Tell them you want to see more freedom for the people of China - that includes the Tibetan Autonomous Zone and Rebiya's Uighurs. If there is no change now, the reprocussions on those who have spoken out so far will be terrible.

Freedom of speech? Why is that so hard? Yet Rebiya Kadeer fights on for her son and her people.

China Jails Canadian Citizen

A joint report by Human Rights Watch and Human Rights in China has revealed that "the systematic repression of religion in Xinjiang was continuing as "a matter of considered state policy". This comes just as a Canadian citizen is jailed for life for alledged separatisim and terrorism charges. The Canadian government is outraged by reports that he is being tortured in custody and the Chinese government have responded that the Canadians should mind their own business! Hmmm, a Canadian citizen would be Canadian business - wouldn't it?

Systematic repression includes executions and the detention of thousands of people every year, the report claims.

"Religious regulation in Xinjiang (East Turkisthan) is so pervasive that it creates a legal net that can catch just about anyone the authorities want to target," said Sharon Hom, Executive Director of Human Rights in China.

The report also reveals that almost half the detainees in Xinjiang's Uighur re-education camps are there for engaging in illegal religious activities.

Uighurs make up about eight million of the 19 million people in Xinjiang. Many of them favour greater autonomy, and China views separatist sentiments as terrorism and a threat to the state. September 11th has done all repressive governments one huge favour.

The worldwide campaign against terrorism has given Beijing the perfect excuse to crack down harder than ever in Xinjiang. Other Chinese enjoy a growing freedom to worship, but the Uighurs, like the Tibetans, find that their religion is being used as a tool of control.

Brad Adams, Asia director for Human Rights Watch.